Counting Stars

Chapter 15

➹ Chapter 15➹

Alex

            "What's with the creepy smile?" Tom and Liam look at me when I ask this. The trio has been sitting with me at lunch for these past few days, ever since I went to Liam's house, much to my chagrin.

            A few days, ago I've been to Liam's house to practice for finals. I played like I would've with Scarlet, and Liam even complimented me. I tried to look out for some methods or secret's he's using but I've only observed so few. I'm not giving up, though.

            Liam's wants to get to know me, too. I tell him what I can about myself, but not too much. He tells me that most of the time, he's alone in the house with the maids. I feel kind of sorry for him and thankful that I have Calvin.

            He nicely asked me permission to tell his best friends yesterday and I said yes, with Calvin's consent. Now, Tom and Jay won't leave me alone like him.

            Jay's still smiling widely beside me — at me — and I'm starting to get nervous. "Jay, stop, you're scaring her," Liam scolds him. Jay's smile falters for a while then it grows into a full grin again.

            "Sorry," Jay apologizes, "It's just that I never thought you'll be the famous...Aven."

            "Because I'm not pretty?" I ask.

            "No, no, no!" Liam butts in suddenly, blushing a little, "Of course Jay didn't mean that, right Jay?"

            Jay smirks along with Tom. "No, I didn't mean that," Jay assures me, "It's just that you're so quiet and anti-social — no offense — and Aven's anything but that."

            I half-shrug, "That's it, exactly. I get to be famous in Myth-o-magic and a nobody in real life. We don't have to be exactly like our avatars. I mean, look at Vade and Liam."

            Tom laughs a little, "You think Liam is nothing like Vade?" No, I don't.

            I lean forward, putting my elbow on the table then resting my chin on my hand, "There's the egotistic attitude and dark aura, how could I forget?" Tom and Jay chorus a laugh while Liam pouts.

            Tom nudges Liam, "Dude, she's cool."

            I suddenly frown, "Hey, aren't you guys Aven admirers?" The three nod altogether. "Why aren't you...you know...worshipping the ground I walk on, or flirting with me."

            Jay smirks, "We are flirting with you, can't you tell?" Liam whacks him upside the head. "No, we're not," he says.

            "We," Tom gestures to the three of them, "Aren't really in love with Aven."

            My mouth drops. They're not really after me — er, Aven — even Liam. "What about the conversation in the bus?"

            "Oh, yeah," Tom snaps his fingers, "We just want to mock Liam for being obsessed." That receives a 'hey!' from Liam. "But," Tom continues, "We just follow the drift of every other guy gamer — admire Aven and lust after her."

            Jay adds, "We just admire her because of her top rank and amazing gaming skills. You rarely meet a girl interested in gaming."

            "What? You're using me to win finals?" I half-jokingly ask them. So Liam didn't like Aven like that, huh.

            "No," Liam denies quickly, "We're interested on the girl who drives the Myth-o-magic world crazy."

            "You've kidnapped me for so many times now," I sip my drink for a pause, "And you call that interested?"